The Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment for South Africa, Narend Singh, stressed the country’s need for clean energy investment at the Municipal Just Energy Transition Conference.
He quoted President Cyril Ramaphosa, who described South Africa as having an energy crisis that is an “existential threat” to the country’s economy and more. Therefore, moving towards sustainable energy sources such as solar is imperative for both the environment and the socio-economic backbone of South Africa.
Singh explained: “Electricity is the backbone of progress,” highlighting how clean energy projects encourage economic growth and community.”
While the move towards green energy provides a threat to jobs in the coal industry, Singh says that a sustainable transition would incorporate finance mechanisms that make energy such as solar both affordable and accessible for all income brackets and communities.
Singh called for a collaboration across the public, government, and private sectors to achieve the country’s green energy targets.
“Now is the time for us to harness the incredible potential of renewable energy, to innovate, to build, and to grow together,” he added, stressing the government’s crucial role in implementing renewable energy policies.
